Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Action Figure Review: Wolverine from Marvel Legends Series: 85th Anniversary by Hasbro

 

   2024 is Marvel's 85th anniversary and Hasbro released a subset of some really impressive action figures to celebrate. I've actually picked up a few of these that I didn't get around to reviewing (Ghost Rider and Warbird/ Ms. Marvel) but I definitely wanted to review this The Astonishing X-Men Wolverine figure. Besides being a figure of Wolverine (who always sells), this was a solid choice on Hasbro's part as 2024 is also Wolverine's 50th anniversary, X-Men '97 was released and hit the right nostalgia buttons, and this figure features a yellow and blue suit that's quite similar to Hugh Jackman's suit in Deadpool & Wolverine. Sure, Hasbro couldn't get the MCU accurate figures out in time, but this guy probably caught the attention of quite a few fans just wanting a yellow suit Wolverine. This outfit is based on The Astonishing X-Men run from 2004 through 2013 (the third volume as other X projects used the title previously) which Hasbro has slowly been building the main cast of for a couple years (they've done Cyclops and Emma Frost but haven't got around to Kitty Pryde, Colossus, and Beast yet). I'm not terribly familiar with this run (my X-Book reading knowledge is mostly limited to pre-2000 stuff) but I do like this costume. Plus, I'm not one to often turn down a Wolverine figure. Ready to check out this Astonishing take on Wolverine? Then join me after the break...





The Facts:

Height: 5 7/8ths inches

Articulation: Swivel/hinge ankles, double-hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball-jointed hips, hinged waist, balljointed mid-torso, lateral pectoral hinges, swivel pauldrons, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel biceps, double-hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, and barbell jointed head.

Accessories: 2 portraits and 6 swappable hands. 

Non-Scalper Price: $25 dollars








The Positives:

* This is an excellent looking version of Wolverine who differs nicely from the previous Wolverine figures Hasbro has released in blue and yellow suits. I'm pretty sure this body is original to this figure. If not, it's unique to this Wolverine when compared to the others as he's still shorter than your average Marvel Legend figure but taller than most previous Wolverine releases. That's accurate to the comics, it seems, and he looks really good when posed with other figures. Many of the lines on his costume aren't just painted on cleanly, either; the seams/ piping is sculpted on. The big X belt buckle with the red and black logo adds a nice element of a different color in the center of the figure, contrasting with the yellow and blue. of the main suit.
* We've received some excellent portraits of Logan in the past year or two and this one is another very solid option. It's not as extreme (X-treme?) as many of the others, looking a bit more... realistic, I guess you'd say? The face has a lot of character and is sculpted in a fairly neutral expression. I mean, Logan still looks a but grumpy or displeased, but I could also see him about to crack a joke a joke as well. 





* Here's a look at the side so you can see his hair and his sideburns. Again, not as extreme as Wolverine's hair from the 80s and 90s, but still pretty distinct. There's some nice detail in his hair that still gives it a bit of an animalistic appearance. This is just a more GQ take on Wolverine. 









* The second portrait included with the figure has the hood on and a pretty pissed off looking Wolverine. The hood actually looks larger here because the flares of his mask are smaller than usual. It's a different look for Wolvie's mask, but it works and seems accurate to the art for the costume. The sculpting on the teeth looks excellent, as they're bared in quite a menacing sneer.





* Wolverine of course comes with a pair of clawed hands. These claws are the type we've seen for almost ten years now where the blades are individual pieces that fit down into the hand, allowing you to remove individual blades if you want to change up the claw positioning. I actually prefer the claws designed like this better (they seem more durable), but the claws here are perfectly fine and can be swapped out if you opt for a third party claw of some sort.






* Two other cool things to point out! One, Wolverine is a hairy guy and Hasbro did a nice job of capturing that on his arms and shoulders with some impressive paint effects. Number two, Wolverine's pauldrons rotate separately, allowing you to position them with his shoulders and the "butterfly" pectoral hinges. They're also on a flexible flap, so they can move up a bit, too, when his arms are raised.







* Wolverine comes with six swappable hands, which is better than average. Most Marvel Legends figures seem to come with two. He's got an open palmed right hand, a pointing left hand, a pair of fists, and the pair of fists with claws out. Everything swaps easily and there's no concern of breakage.





* Wolverine's articulation is very, very slick. As I mentioned above, I do believe this is a mostly new sculpt (maybe even completely), and here are some differences from previous Wolverine figures, particularly the way the torso is built and the pauldrons that move separately from the shoulders. The torso has the hinge lower on the abdomen, almost at the waist, with the balljoint up higher. It's kind of backwards from the other Wolverine figures Hasbro has done, but it works nicely. Everything is sturdy here and you'll have no concerns about messing around with this guy non-stop.


   This is a really impressive Wolverine figure. While I don't have a huge attachment to this outfit like I do to so many others, this is an impressive looking figure. I mean, just compare the articulation, paint, and portraits to almost any Wolverine figure from 3, 5 or 10 years ago and you'll be shocked by how Hasbro continues to innovate. Yes, he's part of a special series that doesn't get a Build-a-Figure, which seem to be going by the wayside more and more these days, but the inclusion of two top tier portraits and six swappable hands do ease the sting. He's an Epic figure and now I want to complete the Astonishing X-Men lineup soon.


 Interested in more Wolverine, AKA Logan, AKA James Howlett, AKA Patch? Then check out my reviews of the Marvel Legends Retro Collection Wolverine (Strike Force), Marvel Legends Series Wolverine & Lilandra Neramani,  Logan vs Sabretooth, Logan & Psylocke, Patch & Joe Fixit, and the Juggernaut BAF Series Wolverine, and the Marvel Legends Retro Series Wolverine.

For more Marvel Legends Series reviews check out the following:
Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro (2016)

Marvel Legends Series: Avengers by Hasbro
Taskmaster
Yelena Belova

Marvel Legends Series: Black Panther by Hasbro (2017)
Black Panther 

Marvel Legends Series: Black Widow by Hasbro (2020)
Black Widow: Deadly Origin
 
Marvel Legends Series: Captain America by Hasbro (2016)
Black Panther
Demolition Man (Mercenaries of Mayhem)
Nick Fury 
Nuke 

Marvel Legends Series: Captain Marvel by Hasbro (2019)
Captain Marvel

Marvel Legends Series: Deadpool by Hasbro (2018)
Cable
Deadpool (Boxers)
Deadpool (X-Force)
Deathlok
Domino
Lady Deadpool 
X-23 (X-Force)
 
Marvel Legends Series: Doctor Strange

Marvel Legends Series: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) 
 
Marvel Legends Series: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
Baron Zemo

Marvel Legends Series: Fantastic Four (2017)
Mr. Fantastic
Thing  
 
Marvel Legends Series: Gamerverse
Civil Warrior

Marvel Legends Series: Guardians of the Galaxy by Hasbro (2017)
Angela
Groot Evolution
Yondu

Marvel Legends Series: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 by Hasbro (2017)
Drax
Gamora (Daughters of Thanos)
Nebula (Daughters of Thanos)
Rocket Raccoon & Groot
Star-Lord 
Yondu 

Marvel Legends Series: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 by Hasbro (2023)
Mantis
 
Marvel Legends Series: The Infinity Gauntlet by Hasbro (2021)
 
Marvel Legends Series: The Infninity Saga by Hasbro
Captain Marvel & Rescue Armor

Marvel Legends Series: Inhumans by Hasbro (2017)
 
Marvel Legends Series: Ironheart by Hasbro (2021)
 
Marvel Legends Series: Iron Man by Hasbro  
Vault Guardsman

Marvel Legends Series: Marvel Knights (2023)
Blade

Marvel Legends Series: The Punisher by Hasbro (2019)
The Punisher (Walgreens Exclusive)
 
Marvel Legends Series: She-Hulk by Hasbro
She-Hulk 

Marvel Legends Series: Silk by Hasbro
Silk and Doc Ock

Marvel Legends Series: Silver Surfer by Hasbro (2018)
Silver Surfer

Marvel Legends Series: Spider-Man by Hasbro
Hallow's Eve
King in Black: Knull and Venom

Marvel Legends Series: Super Villains by Hasbro (2021)
Xemnu

Marvel Legends Series: Thor by Hasbro
Gorr
Ragnarok

Marvel Legends Series: Thor: Love and Thunder by Hasbro (2022)
Mighty Thor

Marvel Legends Series: Typhoid Mary by Hasbro (2018)
Typhoid Mary

Marvel Legends Series: The Unbelievable Gwenpool by Hasbro (2018)
Gwenpool

Marvel Legends Series: Venom by Hasbro (2018)
Carnage  
 
Marvel Legends Series: WandaVision by Hasbro (2021)
 
Marvel Legends Series: What If? by Hasbro (2021)

Marvel Legends Series: Wolverine by Hasbro
Wolverine & Lilandra Neramani
Wolverine & Psylocke

Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro (2016)
Angel









Posted by at

2 comments:

  1. CarniviusNovember 19, 2024 at 5:36 AM

    Claws too long for his forearms will always bug me. :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbecue17November 26, 2024 at 2:21 PM

      Maybe they telescope like the prototype/ very early vintage Star Wars figures who had lightsabers?

      Delete

What'chu talkin' 'bout?

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)